DNA ELECTROPHORESIS

A total of 12 µL was added to each of your tubes. To
check that your measurements were accurate, set the gel loading
pipettor (green plunger: 10-50 µL size) to 12 µL and try
to withdraw the total contents of your tube into the pipettor tip.
(There should be no fluid left behind in the tube.)

Return the contents in the pipettor tip to your reaction tube
and centrifuge a few seconds to pool the solutions at the bottom
of the tube. (Steps #1 and 2 are important; you will need to
practice them several times!)

Using the proper techniques demonstrated in the video and by
your instructor, load the entire contents of your tube into your
assigned well in a practice agar gel.

Prepare four new tubes with 10 µL of solution plus 2
µL Loading dye and practice loading a gel inside the gel
box.

After all of the wells in your gel are loaded, have your
instructor turn on the electrophoresis apparatus and observe what
happens. (It will take about 10 minutes to see the results.)

Make a quick drawing of your results

Questions: Part A

Why did you place each solution on the side of the tube rather
than at the bottom?

What is the function of the loading dye?

Questions: Part B

Why is it important to remove all of the contents of your
tubes before attempting to load a gel?

Can you explain what process is causing the production of air
bubbles in the tank?